What infection can you get from biting your nails?

Biting your nails increases the risk of paronychia, an infection of the nail. Symptoms of paronychia include a painful, red, swollen area around the nail, often at the cuticle or at the site of a hangnail or other injury. If the infection is bacterial, there may be pus-filled blisters at the site.

Can your finger get infection from biting your nails?

Fingernail infections are caused by bacteria entering the skin around the nail. Nail biting, ingrown nails and finger sucking can cause skin breakdown, allowing bacteria to enter. Pushing the cuticle down or trimming the cuticle (which is usually done as part of a manicure) can also lead to infection.

What are the side effects of biting your fingernails?

Some of the risks of biting your nails include:

• soreness or infection in and on the skin around your nails.
• damage to the tissue that makes your nails grow.
• changes in how your nails look.
• abnormal growth.
• more frequent colds and other illnesses from placing dirty fingers in your mouth.

Is biting nails a disease?

Nail biting is very common, especially amongst children. 25-30 percent of children bite nails. More pathological forms of nails biting are considered an impulse control disorder in the DSM-IV-R and are classified under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders in the DSM-5.

What is the best antibiotic for an infected finger?

Warm water soaks of the affected finger 3-4 times per day until symptoms resolve are helpful. Oral antibiotics with gram-positive coverage against S aureus, such as amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin), clindamycin (Cleocin), or or cephalexin, are usually administered concomitantly with warm water soaks.

How do you treat an infected fingernail?

Apply warm compresses or soak the finger in warm,soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes,at least twice a day.

Apply antibiotic or antifungal cream.

Keep the infected area covered with a sterile bandage.

What antibiotic is used for an infected fingernail?

Choose from these options or combine topical applications: alcohol-free goldenseal extract can be applied directly to the infected finger and covered with gauze. Colloidal silver, a natural antibiotic solution, can be taken orally and applied topically.

What causes infection around the fingernail?

A fungal nail infection occurs from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, so this type of environment can cause them to naturally overpopulate. The same fungi that cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm can cause nail infections.